Key Points
- Spanish club RC Celta de Vigo paid a unique tribute to Celtic FC prior to their La Liga fixture against Real Betis at the Estadio Abanca-Balaídos.
- The Galician side played the iconic Irish folk and Celtic stadium anthem “Let The People Sing” over their public address system before kick-off in Vigo.
- The gesture followed Celta Vigo’s historic 2-1 victory against Celtic at Celtic Park in the UEFA Europa League.
- Over 3,000 traveling Galician supporters made the journey to Glasgow, marking the largest European away contingent in Celta Vigo’s history.
- Celta Vigo issued an emotional statement describing a deep sense of “brotherhood” and cultural connection between both clubs and their respective fan bases.
Celtic (Glasgow Express) October 26, 2026 – Celtic supporters may be eager to consign last Thursday’s 2-1 UEFA Europa League defeat against Celta Vigo to history, but footage emerging from Spain demonstrates that the visiting club remains profoundly moved by their pilgrimage to Celtic Park. Ahead of their domestic La Liga match against Real Betis at the Estadio Abanca-Balaídos, Celta Vigo paid an unexpected homage to Celtic FC and their Irish fanbase by broadcasting the popular anthem “Let The People Sing” over the stadium loudspeakers.
What Did Celta Vigo Do Before Their La Liga Match?
As reported by Mark Pirie of the Daily Record, footage captured at the Estadio Abanca-Balaídos prior to Celta Vigo’s goalless draw against Real Betis revealed the Spanish top-flight outfit blaring “Let The People Sing” across the arena PA system. The song, popularized by the Irish folk band The Wolfe Tones, is traditionally played before home matches at Celtic Park and holds significant cultural value for both Celtic and Irish football supporters.
The pre-match selection served as an explicit nod to the hospitality and atmosphere experienced by the Galician side during their mid-week UEFA Europa League encounter in Scotland. Despite the tactical disappointment felt on the pitch by the home side in Glasgow, the off-field exchange appears to have forged a lasting friendship between the two European teams.
How Did Celta Vigo Describe Their Experience At Celtic Park?
According to details shared by Mark Pirie of the Daily Record, Celta Vigo released an official statement expressing their gratitude and ongoing affection for the atmosphere they encountered in Glasgow.
Writing on behalf of the Galician club, officials stated:
“We’re still in shock over what we experienced together in Glasgow. There are things that, no matter how hard we try to explain them with words, can never truly capture their meaning. This story began the day we learned our destination, when Glasgow appeared on the European calendar and thousands of Celta fans began to imagine a night that is now part of our history.”
The statement further highlighted the immense scale of the traveling contingent, which proved to be an all-time record for the La Liga outfit. As detailed by the club’s communications department and cited by Mark Pirie, Celta Vigo added:
“More than 3,000 of you crossed Europe to be by our side… Perhaps that’s why Glasgow was so special – two clubs united by two fan bases that are proud of where they come from and understand that roots are carried within, but also defended, shared and celebrated. This was our biggest away trip ever. A fact that will forever be part of our history.”
What Is The Background Of This Particular Development?
The connection between Galicia and the Celtic nations carries deep historical and cultural roots, often referred to as a shared Atlantic Celtic heritage. In a sporting context, Celta Vigo qualified for the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League campaign and drew Celtic FC as one of their league-phase opponents.
When the fixtures were confirmed, the trip to Celtic Park was immediately highlighted by the Spanish club and its supporters as a marquee fixture. On October 22, 2026, Celta Vigo secured a 2-1 victory over Celtic in Glasgow, courtesy of a Man of the Match performance by defender Javi Rodriguez. More than 3,000 fans traveled from Spain to Scotland, filling the away section and engaging in friendly pre-match gatherings across Glasgow city center. The positive reception, combined with the cultural similarities in music and heritage, prompted Celta Vigo to extend the celebration into their subsequent domestic fixture against Real Betis.
What Is The Prediction For How This Development Affects Football Supporters?
This growing sense of camaraderie between Celta Vigo and Celtic FC is likely to foster a long-term cross-border relationship between the two supporter groups.
For Celtic and Irish fans, gestures of cultural respect such as broadcasting “Let The People Sing” in La Liga serve to reinforce Celtic Park’s global reputation as a welcoming, vibrant European football destination. In the immediate term, traveling Celtic fans visiting Spain or Galician supporters returning to Scotland for future UEFA competitions are expected to experience heightened hospitality, mutual goodwill, and organized supporter initiatives. Furthermore, this exposure strengthens the broader cultural ties between Scottish, Irish, and Galician fanbases, potentially leading to formal supporter club pairings and joint cultural events in future European campaigns.
